A recent theological document from the Vatican, titled Infinite Dignity, has stirred debate. Approved by Pope Francis, it describes gender‑affirming surgeries and surrogacy, along with what it calls “gender theory,” as “grave violations of human dignity” (see AP News).

“Gender theory” is criticized in the document as an ideology that threatens the understanding of biological sex, identity, and relationality. The Vatican argues that biological sex is immutable, and adopting gender identity inconsistent with birth sex conflicts with what they see as God’s design.

This document doesn’t exist in isolation. It reflects longstanding tensions between religious institutions, LGBTQ+ advocates, and scholars. It raises questions about how theology, ethics, science, and pastoral care intersect. How do religious communities respond to gender dysphoria? What about compassion, equity, psychological well‑being, versus doctrinal claims?

For me it’s painful to see how people seeking identity, wholeness, or affirmation can feel under attack. But I also see how believers feel responsibility toward theological consistency. The challenge is huge: how to hold both compassion and truth in tension, how to dialogue rather than condemn, and how to integrate scientific, medical, psychological realities with theological convictions.